Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-02-09

a, expected. putting me on with de-
claring that 1.-THE devilwas not so black
as he was painted, and other general
man-like evasions.
lie remained at home but a day.
After he was gone, the ladies' If the
village reused to sympathy with
Clossy's lifelong trouble, busted them
selves in making her comfortable. A
bit OF carpet from one, chair or tyo
from another, some gay curtains,
chromos, dishes, and the old cabin be-
came palaceamong the other huts.
During the first month, these gifts
kept Glossy in state Of rapturous ex-
element. They were all for Moncheer
Robideaux, when he should come back
sound and whole. He was never cheat
ed out Of syllable of his name now.
She worked night and day to earn
money to receive him like the prince
he was. She never doubted Mrs. Yok-
um's promise for moment. But
as the weeks wore on, and her prep
arations were completed the woman S
strength gave way. When the day 5
work was done, she would sit under
the pecan-trce for hours motionlcss.
staring across the tobacco-iield.
"What are you thinking OF. ClossyP"
l asked her once.
She turned wild glance at me. AMI
whispered, us il afraid to hear h II own
breath:
Miss Lucy, eff he shouldn't Gomez
What could doP | wrote to my
husband. who replied that no harm
could come to the boy without the
knowledge of the police in the larger
towns was forced to be quiet unit
the time came for comforting the
wrctched mother in her disappoint-
ment. The day came at last went
over TO Clos'y's cabin early in IT,.
afternoon, followed by Aunt July. car
rying roast chicken and pound-cik',
which she had prepared to feast BobbS
on his return. Glossy had b zen ut
work since daybreak. decorating tn.
cabin and setting forth her n pc,
sessions most effectively. She too ha J
supper in n high state of pres ,r,ation
Then she put on her Sunday frock, an
''oil calico of brilliant red and black
splotches, high comb in her head,
set with green stones.
Hell like to see his nanny look
like lady," she said, with laugh that
ended in a cry.
Il done 80 wait fob my chile Pray
foh me, Miss Lucy. pray so long,
my min got stupid-likc."
l could not speak. The faith in her
straining eyes awed me. II seemed as
if such prayers must br'ng her boy.
She went out to the pccan-trcc, and
sat down on a log. looking across the
great empty fields. stood on the
porch, and Aunt judy and dozen
other darkics filled tho steps, for once
silent and awcd. The sun, red bail
of fire, touched the horizon, sank slow
ly below it.
"Will he come in lightnin'- flash or
black cloudp" whispered Toby,
whereat Aunt Judy hit him vicious
blow in the back. All was silent.
Clossy's head dropped on her knees,
her eyes were shut, she trcmblcd from
head to foot. strained my eyes,
searching the great pain, but it W s
fat and empty. Not shadow crcpt
across it. The sun sank lower, disap-
peared, struck bold red lines up to the
zenith. Just then there was slight
stir behind us, and a child ran from the
back of the cabin and throw his arms
about Clossy's neck.
Its Bobbs, nanny! Bobbs! And
look aheahH' jumping and leaping
before her, ending with somersault
and a tumble. She was on her knees
in the dust gathering him up. while
the negroes cried and shouted: Dress
dc Lohd!' But Glossy did not shout or
sing; she painted, under her breath:
"It's Bobbs Bobbs!"
turned, and saw DIR. Mactler and
George, looking as If they were ready
to shout too.
"You lifted the spell" cried, sud-
denly enlightened.
Eyes" said DIR. Macticr 1T is not
a difficult cure, but it was necessary to
have the patient entirely under my
control, and his mother never would
have gwen him to me. SO we had to
keep our own counsel"
Glossy came up to him, with the
tears streaming down her happy face,
and prayed Gods blessing on him.
But to this day | suspect she is doubt
full whether she owes most of Bobb' s
cure to DIR. Mactier or the -.'olc
mist. "-Re6ccca Harding Dacis, in
Youths Companion.